The Nigerian presidency has issued a detailed clarification addressing widespread public concerns over the recently signed migration partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, insisting that the agreement does not compel Nigeria to accept non-citizens.
In a State House press statement released by Bayo Onanuga, the government described circulating claims about the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as misleading and inaccurate. The agreement, signed during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent state visit to the UK, is framed as a mechanism to promote safe, orderly, and lawful migration between both countries.
According to the statement, the MoU strictly applies to verified nationals of each country. It emphasizes that Nigeria is under no obligation to receive foreign nationals from third countries. Any individual considered for repatriation must undergo multiple layers of identity verification. In cases where errors occur, the originating country is required to take back the individual at its own expense.
The agreement also outlines procedures to ensure that deportations are conducted humanely, with full respect for human rights and dignity. Returnees are entitled to carry their legally acquired personal belongings—marking a shift from past practices where deportees often returned empty-handed.
Additionally, provisions within the MoU allow individuals facing deportation to appeal based on human rights considerations, including long-term residency or potential reintegration challenges in their country of origin.
Operationally, the process involves coordinated identification checks by both countries before and upon arrival. Deportations may occur via commercial or chartered flights, with advance notice and documentation required. Importantly, the statement clarifies that the authority to issue Nigerian travel documents remains solely with the Nigeria Immigration Service, reinforcing national sovereignty over immigration procedures.
The agreement also includes reintegration support for returnees, ranging from immediate assistance such as accommodation and transportation to longer-term opportunities like education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship funding.
The presidency noted that similar migration agreements were signed in previous years and stressed that the current MoU follows established frameworks. It concluded by urging media organizations to verify information before publication to prevent public misinformation.
Overall, the government maintains that the Nigeria-UK migration partnership is designed to strengthen bilateral cooperation while safeguarding the rights and interests of Nigerian citizens.
